Salam Eid al-Adha from Far Away

As you guys might know, Eid al-Adha  or the 'Festival of Sacrifice' is a day where Muslims throughout the world celebrate the holiday of Eid al-Adha after the Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca by Muslims worldwide. During this festival, Muslims remember the Prophet Abraham's trials, by slaughtering an animal such as sheep, cows, camels or goats and give the meat to family, friends and especially to the poor.

It has been 11 years since I last experienced Eid like I was used to back home. Even though I lived somewhere in the heart of the city of Johor Bahru (in the South of Malaysia), every time Eid comes along we would celebrate it in quite a big way. As my father was on the committee of the mosque where we lived, he obviously had a big obligation to help out at the mosque on the day.

So, all of us in the family would join the crowd from early in the morning to help out with what we could while at the same time feeling good about our contribution too. Don't get me wrong, I didn't do the slaughtering, just the kitchen/cooking part and the most important part, eating to be exact. Ahaks! It was such a tiring day but to learn and see the whole process for yourself makes you realise the sacrifice Prophet Abraham made and makes you feel blessed and grateful for what we have.

I missed those days and how I wish my kids can see it for themselves the way I did. But whatever it is, I still feel blessed for what I have today, Alhamdulillah.

To all, May Allah Bless you on Eid al-Adha.

Eid Mubarak!!!